Bloom Where You're Planted

In watching the Winter Olympics over the past few weeks, it struck me that many of these athletes more than likely became athletes because of where they were born or living at the time they became passionate about their sport.

I know that's not always true -- examples like the Jamaican bobsled team, the lone athlete from the Philippines, who was a figure skater, and even a skier or snowboarder who was from Indiana. Hmmm.... I don't recall many mountains in Indiana.

But how much does geographic location influence our life choices?  I'm a military brat, so we moved frequently.  In elementary school, we lived in Virginia.

I loved Virginia! The beaches were great. I loved learning about colonial history.  I loved the field trips to Jamestown and visiting Williamsburg. I could see myself attending the College of William and Mary and hanging out in Williamsburg or at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. for the rest of my days.

Alas, the military moved us again -- to New Mexico.  New Mexico couldn't have been much different from Virginia!  As our location shifted, so did my dreams. Throughout middle school and the beginning of high school, I knew I was going to California.  I was going to attend UCLA and work in the entertainment industry. That was my plan. I was going to make it big in Hollywood.

But plans change. In the middle of high school, we were transferred again. This time to Austin, Texas.  Yep, it's true. Texas is like a whole other country.  And Austin had a great university right there, so I ended up close to home, going to the University of Texas (Hook 'Em Horns). My entertainment dreams were still around, because I studied studied Radio, Television and Film.

Geography did have an influence on my life. I haven't been to Virginia since I was a little girl.  I have never lived in California.  Now, I did work for 15 years in Radio and Television -- in New Mexico, so that dream never died. It just moved with me to where I was living at the time.

Six and a half years ago, my husband got a job in the Dallas area.  Dallas?  No, if I was living in Texas, it should be Austin or San Antonio.  Dallas wasn't even on my radar.

But guess what?  We love it here.  Like any good military brat, I know how to make wherever I'm living be "home."  And this truly does feel like home to me.

While there are some who will leave home to pursue their dreams -- the Olympic athletes who go to where the best training facilities are, who learn the love of their sport from growing up surrounded by that sport -- most of us will bloom where we're planted.  It may be a different place than our childhood home or it may be the place where we're born and raised and "everybody knows your name."

In all my dreams of Williamsburg and Hollywood, even Austin, I never thought about Dallas. It's a good thing God knows best.

I believe that God has me right where he wants me -- and I need to bloom right here.

I wouldn't change a thing.

Can You Be an Inspiration?

The Winter Olympics are happening, and yes, I'm watching.  I love the inspiring and uplifting stories, the competition, patriotic pride and more.

To see athletes achieve their lifelong goals along side those who are just happy to be in Sochi right now is heartwarming.  Remember the young American skier, Heidi Kloser, who was injured in a training run before opening ceremonies, and hobbled into the stadium on crutches? When she was injured, her first question was "Am I still an Olympian?"

During opening ceremonies, the commentators talked about another athlete, I believe the only athlete from his particular country,  who knew he would come in dead last his event, but it didn't matter. He was just happy to be there.

So while we are inspired by the medalists and all they've accomplished, are these two athletes  I've mentioned any less inspiring?  I love that these two (and so many others) are happy to be Olympians, to have strived, trained, and worked to make it that far and to experience this international competition that's unlike anything else.

Most of us won't make such a big impact on an international, or even national stage in our lives.  But I believe we can be an inspiration in our own little world.  What can we do for others around us -- in our city, neighborhood, at our jobs, or heck, even in our own home?  Are we striving to make a difference? Are we shining God's light and inspiring someone else no matter where we are?

What can you do today to shine?

New Blog! Come find me!

Hi everyone,

This blog has moved to www.talkingamongfriends.com.  

Please visit me there!

Hugs,
Becky

Being Whole with Missing Parts

I saw a story on CBS Sunday Morning this past weekend about wounded warriors playing music, lead by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd.

One of these hero warriors lost a hand and both legs in Afghanistan.  He told the story of how when his world was crashing down around him, he heard God's voice ask "do you still trust me?"  In that moment, that brave soldier trusted. The result, despite the loss of limbs, he said he's never felt more whole in his life.

His words and his attitude touched me and inspired me in a profound way. 

That statement brought me to tears as I watched the video of this young man singing "Hallelujah", backed up by a band of other hero soldiers, including a drummer who had lost both legs and an arm, and could still play a mean set of drums.

In a very tiny, tiny way, I can relate. Having a double mastectomy due to breast cancer hasn't made me less of a person...or less of a woman. (Of course I have the most amazing husband, who encourages and supports me with his unconditional love.)

I can relate to that soldier because in some ways I've never felt more whole.  God uses the tragedies and tough times in our lives to lead us to something good. God saved my life, and saved the lives of these soldiers for a purpose.

I have such gratitude for my life, and pray to fulfill the purpose of God's will.

So, despite what we all think is missing in our lives, whether physical or emotional, maybe we need to take a moment to be grateful for all we do have....and not focus on what's missing.  

I guess we need to ask ourselves "do we trust God?"

Thoughts to ponder as we head into the season of thanks.

If you're interested, here's the link to the uplifting and inspiring story on CBS Sunday Morning:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57611639/band-of-brothers/

It's worth your time to watch.

Staying Present

I saw a quote this week from a friend on Facebook:  Whatever happened to being in the moment when you do something?

It got me to thinking.  Are we all so busy multi-tasking that we forget to be in the moment?  To enjoy what's going on right this minute?

I know some of us are always thinking about tomorrow, about the step or even the next item on our list? We're planning, organizing and thinking about the future.  

Believe me, there's nothing wrong with planning and organizing.  Sometimes that helps us enjoy what's yet to come.

But is your ear so glued to your cell phone, that even when you're checking out at the grocery store, you can't put the darn thing down to say hello to the cashier and thank the teenager who's bagging your groceries?  Or even just to focus on the task of unloading your grocery cart with more than one hand? (Can you tell this is one of my pet peeves?)

How many of us are truly appreciative of today, of this moment?  In this moment, I'm doing something I love (writing on my blog).  I am in my beautiful home actually enjoying the rainy weather.  God is good, because I'm able to do this.

Even if you're not at the perfect job, or your kids are driving you crazy, or you're facing illness or problems... isn't it time to take a look around? To be thankful that you have a job, that you are blessed with children, and that good doctors are all around us?

I've had cancer twice and God still wants me here.  So while I'm here on this earth, I want to be present in every moment.  Even in the routine, like going to the grocery store, I want to stay involved with what I'm doing. If nothing else, just to be courteous to those around me, standing in line behind me, or working hard as they ring up my grocery total and put my items in bags.

The reality is, no matter what we're doing, it's best if we only do one thing at a time before moving on to the next project.  I know I'm a better worker when I do that.

So, take a moment today to look around. Quit multi-tasking so much and enjoy right where you are, right now.  

Stay in the present.  Remember the quote from Ferris Bueller's Day Off: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

I, personally, don't want to miss a thing!

Balancing Act

Our pastor of worship arts gave a great message over the weekend.  I've been pondering his words for the past few days. 

He spoke about Christians living in a bubble and how we need to step out from that bubble.  And when we step out of that bubble, how are we perceived? 

I think it's a matter of finding the balance.  We need our "Christian bubble" for encouragement, support, to learn and grow as Christians, and to go deep in our friendships. We need that fellowship.

But with our jobs, our hobbies, heck, even at the grocery store, we're going to run into people of different faiths, different lifestyles and some who very decidedly are not Christians.

So, how do these other people perceive us?  If you think about the perception of Christians in general, do you think that perception is positive?  I think we all know the answer to that.

Growing up, I remember a song from church: "They will know we are Christians by our love..."

What's one of the most well-known verses in the Bible: "Love one another."

Are we missing that message these days?  If you run across someone living a lifestyle you know is contrary to God's word, how do you treat them? 

You may immediately counter with how we are being treated.  That's not the point.  In all our dealings with people in our lives, we should be courteous, kind and most of all respectful.  Whether you agree or disagree with their views, actions, lifestyle, religion -- don't you think we'll get farther in our relationships and in our ability to plant some seeds, if they are planted with kindness and respect?

I know Christians are supposed to share the good news of the Bible.  Yet, our calling may not be to change people right there on the spot. For me personally, I believe that I plant more seeds, show Christ's love more abundantly by how I live my life and how I treat others.

If I am kind, considerate and respectful -- won't that give a better image of "Christian" than showving my views down someone's throat?  I don't like when someone shoves their views at me.  How do you want to be treated?

Again, it's a balance.  And it's a thin tightrope to walk.  But I believe in the old saying "Kill 'em with kindness."

Personally, I want someone to know "we are Christians by our love." 

Cycles of Life

It's been an interesting week.  I'm seeing the cycles of life, so to speak.  We received word that my aunt, who is in poor health, had taken a turn for the worst. Her kids and family were gathering around to spend time with her.  

A few days later, my husband and I attended a wedding – the joyous celebration of a young couple beginning their new life together. At the wedding, we spent time with friends that we don't see often enough, unfortunately.

This year, we've enjoyed having a new member of our family, my niece's son, born in January.  He's my brother's first grandchild, and my parents first great-grandchild.

Last weekend, my husband and I babysat our 2-year-old great nephew and had a blast.

Our son and his wife have moved to a new city, starting a new phase in their married life and with their careers.

The cycle of life is going strong right now. How many do we know that are fighting cancer, illness, financial difficulties, or celebrating weddings, pregnancies, births, and more?

It all makes me thoughtful and hopefully motivated to live each day to the fullest. None of us know how long we have on this earth. So, we need to spend it doing what God wants us to do, making time and spending time with friends, loving our families and not wasting a moment.

So when the various cycles of life hit, you can celebrate the highs, and have loved ones to cling to during the lows.

What are you doing to appreciate the little things in life? Do you have a church group or neighbors you are close to?  Is it time to call that friend and go have lunch or a cup of coffee? Share your thoughts on the highs and lows and how to make time for the important things.

Meanwhile, live life well… enjoy every moment.

Running Away from Home

Was there ever a time in your childhood that you felt like running away from home?  That seems so silly looking back, because as Dorothy Gale said, "There's no place like home."

Even as adults, we sometimes want to run away from home. Take my husband and I a few weeks ago: We're in a place in our lives where are kids our grown, gone and married. We're empty-nesters, enjoying the quiet that comes before the arrival of grandchildren. (And no, there are no grandchildren on the way...that we know about!).

But on this particular Saturday, we woke up restless. The weather was cold and cloudy... and we just needed to get out of town!  September had been very hectic and there hadn't been a lot of down time.

Normally, when you say "let's get up and go somewhere," you rarely do it. And on this day, I thought that would be the case for us.  My husband had some minor repairs to do on his truck and I said to myself that was it. He'd get stuck in the garage, buried in his car repairs and we wouldn't go anywhere. Maybe we'd have time to see a movie or something later.

He headed for the garage and I thought I'd dig out a craft project to work on. Well, he made his repairs, and came back in the house and announced that he needed to road test the truck.

"Pack an overnight bag, just in case," he told me. 

Really?  I couldn't believe it.  I leapt up and packed quickly.  My mood lifted and I kept smiling as I threw things into a bag.

Even if we didn't spend the night anywhere, just to take a drive was a marvelous idea. Instead of just talking about it, we were actually going!  On a whim, with no thought, no reservations, no real destination (though we had an idea).

We drove about three hours, and stayed near a state park at a hotel on a lake. It was wonderful!  We spent the night and returned home the next day. It was a fast trip, but it felt so good just to get away, to walk along the lake right before a thunderstorm rolled in. Watching the deer the surrounded the lake property... just being together, anywhere except at home.

I think the best part was that we did it so spontaneously.  At our age, (not that I claim we're old!) it seemed like our spontaneous days were behind us  -- that was something for the young.

But for one weekend, we felt young, and carefree.  What a great feeling.

So maybe the next time we're restless, we won't even hesitate. We'll throw some things in a bag and get in the car and go!

What about you?  What's the last spontaneous thing you did?  Have you ever gone out of town on a whim?

I'd love to hear your stories.  And when appropriate, I hope you find your moment to run away from home!